CLUB BLOG

VBGCQ and Titan Theatre Company are excited to announce a new, expanded partnership! Designed to address the growing need for affordable rehearsal and performance space in Queens, our original partnership has blossomed into a massive education and outreach initiative! “A partnership such as this, with an incredible organization like the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens, isn’t only an opportunity to help and support the wonderful theatre community here in our home borough, but is also a way to provide even more arts education and outreach programming to the community that continues to support us and our work in such an amazing way” said Titan Artistic Director Lenny Banovez. We at the Club looking forward to providing more opportunities to our beloved Queens communities, starting with a Shakespeare performance for our after school kids on Wednesday, May 15th!

Sincerest thanks to Amazon employees for spending an afternoon mentoring our Club’s middle school children. From getting an inside look at the office and spending quality time with software engineers, advertisers and managers, our students were able to ask their wildest questions and receive expert advice on their future path.

On Friday, December 21st, the Club was thrilled to present our Annual Holiday Celebration in the Broccoli Theatre. Surrounded by an audience of friends and family members, students performed adaptations of Ugly Duckling, Where the Wild Things Are and their original play, Who Kidnapped Santa. The Media Club debuted their film, A Christmas Wish and the Dance Group revamped the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” incorporating ballet and dub step. In the back of theatre, the Cooking Club hosted a bake sale with cookies, brownies and cakes that received rave reviews by all! Lastly, the students participated in the Variety Idol Competition where each grade sang Christmas carols and the audience voted on the winner. This year, we are thrilled to share that the 5th Graders were the official winners of the competition! The show closed with remarks from Council Member Costa Constantinides and a giant bow from all the children.

After the performance, staff members handed out personalized gifts to over 150 children. Our sincerest thanks to Marshalls, ADP, Steve Madden & Microsoft employees who donated the gifts and to the group of ADP employees who volunteered their time wrapping gifts, making holiday cards with the students and playing a game of basketball.

The Club is proud of all we have been able to accomplish this year thanks to the support of our incredible community. We are wishing you all Happy Holidays and an amazing New Year!

THANK YOU HOLIDAY SPONSORS!

A resounding thanks to the 20 volunteers from JPMorgan Chase & Company for supporting the academic achievement of our students and promoting STEM exposure! We appreciate the time, energy and effort you devoted to the Club.

During the service day, each student was paired with a volunteer to complete homework after which, the groups explored cooking, hydroponic planting, stop motion animation and the MaKey MaKey invention kit. Special thanks to Break A Difference, who made this incredible event possible!!

TJ Maxx visited the Club for for a very special afternoon of art and celebration! Volunteers joined us for Lights On After School, a day dedicated to recognizing after school programs nationwide. With the help of TJ Maxx volunteers, Club participants used teamwork and creativity to show off their after school pride! Each volunteer led a team of students in decorating paper light bulbs that were strung around the Broccoli Theatre. Thank you TJ Maxx for supporting the Club and making this year’s Lights On After School a tremendous success!

The Club had an an action-packed afternoon thanks to a visit from IMPACT Wrestling!

Professional wrestlers, Johnny IMPACT, Taya Valkyrie & Ortiz spent the afternoon in gym class answering the kids most burning questions and playing a round of kickball. We finished the afternoon with autographs and photo-ops! IMPACT also provided 100 complimentary tickets so that families could attend a taping at Melrose Ballroom. Two kids from the Club got the exciting opportunity to be the ring announcer and bell ringer for the night.

We were thrilled to welcome Marshalls employees at the Club to spend an afternoon with our participants in the After School program! Volunteers kicked off their visit by helping our elementary students complete their homework in Power Hour, before heading to the gym for some fun and games.

Along with help of Coach CP, students taught volunteers Crazy Ball, a Club favorite, and everyone joined in to play - the game was filled with lots of cheering and even a few home-runs! At the end of the day, Marshalls presented the Club with a surprise grant for our Power Hour program. Many thanks to all the volunteers for generously donating their time and making it a very special Wednesday at the Club!

In celebration of Earth Day, a group of MLB employees devoted their time, energy and talent to revitalizing our Club! The Media Lab is now equipped with a branded sports desk and a full frame “Variety News” backdrop to air our very own newscasts. The playground planters are now in working order, filled with flowers and mulch! Thanks to MLB volunteers and family members for spending Earth Day at our Club.